Abnormal Late Visual Responses and Alpha Oscillations in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: a Link to Visual and Attention Deficits

Overview

Journal J Neurodev Disord

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2014 Feb 25

PMID 24559228

Citations 15

Authors

Maria J Ribeiro

Otilia C dAlmeida

Fabiana Ramos

Jorge Saraiva

Eduardo D Silva

Miguel Castelo-Branco

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) affects several areas of cognitive function including visual processing and attention. We investigated the neural mechanisms underlying the visual deficits of children and adolescents with NF1 by studying visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and brain oscillations during visual stimulation and rest periods.

Methods: Electroencephalogram/event-related potential (EEG/ERP) responses were measured during visual processing (NF1 n = 17; controls n = 19) and idle periods with eyes closed and eyes open (NF1 n = 12; controls n = 14). Visual stimulation was chosen to bias activation of the three detection mechanisms: achromatic, red-green and blue-yellow.

Results: We found significant differences between the groups for late chromatic VEPs and a specific enhancement in the amplitude of the parieto-occipital alpha amplitude both during visual stimulation and idle periods. Alpha modulation and the negative influence of alpha oscillations in visual performance were found in both groups.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest abnormal later stages of visual processing and enhanced amplitude of alpha oscillations supporting the existence of deficits in basic sensory processing in NF1. Given the link between alpha oscillations, visual perception and attention, these results indicate a neural mechanism that might underlie the visual sensitivity deficits and increased lapses of attention observed in individuals with NF1.

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